REO Speedwagon’s hit parade has put the classic rock band in an enviable position when it comes to writing and releasing new music. "For bands like us that have been fortunate enough to build up a catalog of hits, we can write with total freedom," singer Kevin Cronin said. "We don’t have to think about airplay or how to write a hit record while maintaining our integrity."

REO Speedwagon, which performs on Wednesday in Englewood, released its last studio album in 2007. Cronin, the band’s principal songwriter, said he doesn’t know when or in what format the band will release new songs, but he’s enthusiastic about the opportunities offered in the digital age.

"It’s like the wild, wild West out there, and I’m excited by it," Cronin said by phone. "We don’t necessarily have to record 20 songs. For us it’s probably going to be one or two at a time, maybe put them out on a website or iTunes. As musicians and artists, our job is to come up with songs that have meaning and touch people’s souls, and if we can do that, people will find them."

In the meantime, Cronin said REO Speedwagon loves touring and performing 40 years of hits, including "Can’t Fight This Feeling," "Keep on Loving You," "Ridin’ the Storm Out" and "Take It on the Run."

Cronin said the band, which has sold more than 40 million albums, tours about six months a year and never tires of playing its most popular songs.

Raised in the heartland

"There’s nothing worse than going to a concert to see a band and they leave out some of their biggest songs," Cronin said. "We always say that we play the show for free, it’s the other 22 hours of the day that we get paid for."

The Illinois-based band, which formed in 1967, also includes founding member and keyboardist Neal Doughty and long-time members Bruce Hall on bass, Dave Amato on guitar and Bryan Hitt on drums. Cronin attributed part of the band’s longevity to its collective heartland upbringing.

"There’s a Midwest work ethic that’s in your being," Cronin said. "If you keep a decent balance between your work and your fun, then your life is probably going to be successful."

Musically, Cronin said he was influenced by a diverse array of artists in the 1960s thanks to Chicago radio station WLS, which at the time had a free-form format. "You heard everything from Motown, the British Invasion and boy bands like the Four Seasons to Bob Dylan and the Byrds," he said.

Cronin joined REO Speedwagon in 1972 and made his debut on the band’s sophomore album, "R.E.O./T.W.O." He left the band shortly afterward, returned in 1976 and has remained REO’s frontman since.

The band enjoyed modest success in the 1970s before releasing its massive breakthrough album, "Hi Infidelity," in 1980. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart and has sold more than 10 million copies.

"Hi Infidelity" included two hit power ballads: the No. 1 single, "Keep on Loving You," and "Take It on the Run," which charted at No. 5. Follow-up albums "Good Trouble" (1982) and "Wheels Are Turnin’ " (1984) both peaked at No. 7. Musical differences led to lineup changes in the late 1980s. The band has released albums sporadically over the past two decades but has toured regularly.

For those who can’t make this week’s show, REO Speedwagon will return to the area on a co-headlining tour with Chicago that includes stops at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Aug. 16 and Jones Beach on Aug. 17. It is the first time the Illinois contemporaries have toured together. The bands plan to jam on each other’s songs at the end of the night.

"It doesn’t make any sense that we haven’t played together all of these years, but that makes this tour that much more special for fans," Cronin said. "To hear the Chicago horn section on [REO song] ‘Roll With the Changes’ is something I’m very much looking forward to."

REO Speedwagon’s hit parade has put the classic rock band in an enviable position when it comes to writing and releasing new music. "For bands like us that have been fortunate enough to build up a catalog of hits, we can write with total freedom," singer Kevin Cronin said. "We don’t have to think about airplay or how to write a hit record while maintaining our integrity."

REO Speedwagon, which performs on Wednesday in Englewood, released its last studio album in 2007. Cronin, the band’s principal songwriter, said he doesn’t know when or in what format the band will release new songs, but he’s enthusiastic about the opportunities offered in the digital age.

"It’s like the wild, wild West out there, and I’m excited by it," Cronin said by phone. "We don’t necessarily have to record 20 songs. For us it’s probably going to be one or two at a time, maybe put them out on a website or iTunes. As musicians and artists, our job is to come up with songs that have meaning and touch people’s souls, and if we can do that, people will find them."

In the meantime, Cronin said REO Speedwagon loves touring and performing 40 years of hits, including "Can’t Fight This Feeling," "Keep on Loving You," "Ridin’ the Storm Out" and "Take It on the Run."

Cronin said the band, which has sold more than 40 million albums, tours about six months a year and never tires of playing its most popular songs.

Raised in the heartland

"There’s nothing worse than going to a concert to see a band and they leave out some of their biggest songs," Cronin said. "We always say that we play the show for free, it’s the other 22 hours of the day that we get paid for."

The Illinois-based band, which formed in 1967, also includes founding member and keyboardist Neal Doughty and long-time members Bruce Hall on bass, Dave Amato on guitar and Bryan Hitt on drums. Cronin attributed part of the band’s longevity to its collective heartland upbringing.

"There’s a Midwest work ethic that’s in your being," Cronin said. "If you keep a decent balance between your work and your fun, then your life is probably going to be successful."

Musically, Cronin said he was influenced by a diverse array of artists in the 1960s thanks to Chicago radio station WLS, which at the time had a free-form format. "You heard everything from Motown, the British Invasion and boy bands like the Four Seasons to Bob Dylan and the Byrds," he said.

Cronin joined REO Speedwagon in 1972 and made his debut on the band’s sophomore album, "R.E.O./T.W.O." He left the band shortly afterward, returned in 1976 and has remained REO’s frontman since.

The band enjoyed modest success in the 1970s before releasing its massive breakthrough album, "Hi Infidelity," in 1980. The album hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart and has sold more than 10 million copies.

"Hi Infidelity" included two hit power ballads: the No. 1 single, "Keep on Loving You," and "Take It on the Run," which charted at No. 5. Follow-up albums "Good Trouble" (1982) and "Wheels Are Turnin’ " (1984) both peaked at No. 7. Musical differences led to lineup changes in the late 1980s. The band has released albums sporadically over the past two decades but has toured regularly.

For those who can’t make this week’s show, REO Speedwagon will return to the area on a co-headlining tour with Chicago that includes stops at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Aug. 16 and Jones Beach on Aug. 17. It is the first time the Illinois contemporaries have toured together. The bands plan to jam on each other’s songs at the end of the night.